Postecoglou must axe Tottenham star James Maddison at half-time v Man City
Tottenham star James Maddison should be hooked at halftime against Manchester City.
Ange Postecoglou made a bold decision by leaving Son Heung-min on the bench at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday (26 February).
Dejan Kulusevski was also left out of the Premier League clash, just as Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham suggested would happen while in conversation exclusively with Tottenham News.
However, those changes came back to haunt Postecoglou as Erling Haaland put City ahead after 12 minutes in North London.
The visitors continued to dominate from this point onward, missing chance after chance. Therefore, Postecoglou needs to respond by making at least one change at the break, with Maddison the player who should make way.
Maddison must be axed at half-time for Tottenham v Man City
Roy Keane aimed a fresh dig at Maddison ahead of kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and based on the Englishman’s performance in the first 45 minutes, it seems as though he saw it.
The 28-year-old wasn’t at the races, completing just 72 per cent of his passes, while only one of his four crosses into the box was accurate, and both of his long balls were inaccurate [Sofascore].
In addition, he succeeded with zero per cent of his attempted dribbles, and while he did perform slightly better defensively, winning four of his seven ground duels, he also gave possession away 14 times in the opening 45 minutes.
| First-half stats | Goals | Shots | Possession |
| Tottenham | 0 | 2 | 50 per cent |
| Manchester City | 1 | 7 | 50 per cent |
With Kulusevski waiting on the bench, Postecoglou has a perfect chance to make a like-for-like change.
Postecoglou needs a big team talk at halftime
While changing Maddison might make a difference, Spurs are going to need much more than just one substitution based on their performance in the first half.
Postecoglou’s side struggled to get going at all, and the Australian is going to need an inspiring team talk at the break.
Otherwise, City will continue to have their own way, and win the match comfortably.